Browns' Scott Fujita plans to appeal three-game bounty suspension

FILE - This Jan. 13, 2007 file photo shows New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita reacting after his team made a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC divisional playoff football game in New Orleans. Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been suspended without pay for the entire 2012 season by the NFL, one of four players punished for participating in a pay-for-pain bounty system. Defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove, now with the Green Bay Packers, is suspended for eight games this season; Saints defensive end Will Smith is barred for four games; and linebacker Scott Fujita, now with the Cleveland Browns, will miss three games. All of the suspensions are without pay. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita and three of his former Saints teammates plan to appeal suspensions announced Wednesday by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, according to reports.

Fujita was banned without pay for the first three games of 2012 by Goodell for his alleged participation in the bounty program the Saints ran while Fujita played for New Orleans in 2009.

Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was suspended for the entire season. Former Saints defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, now with the Packers, has been suspended eight games, and defensive end Will Smith has been banned for four games.

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The bounty program ran from 2009-2011. Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season. Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, the admitted ringleader, was suspended indefinitely.

"No bounty program can exist without active player participation," Goodell said in the NFL's statement announcing the penalties. "The evidence clearly showed that the players being held accountable today willingly and enthusiastically embraced the bounty program. Players put the vast majority of the money into this program, and they share responsibility for playing by the rules and protecting each other within those rules."

Months ago, Fujita told Peter King of Sports Illustrated he contributed money to a pot that rewarded players for outstanding plays such as interceptions and sacks. But he said he did not encourage teammates to injure opponents or reward them for knocking opponents out of a game.

In its investigation, however, the league concluded Fujita pledged "a significant amount of money" to the bounty program.

An email sent to Fujita seeking reaction drew no response. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur issued a statement through the Browns media relations department.

"We will respect the Commissioner's decision," Shurmur said. "Scott is a valued member of the Cleveland Browns, and we look forward to his participation in our offseason program and training camp."

The banishments do not begin until the start of the regular season in September. The suspended players are permitted to participate in all offseason programs, training camp and preseason.

The player's union issued the following statement on behalf of the suspended players. The union is in an awkward position because it is balancing supporting Fujita, Vilma, Hargrove and Smith with vigilantly trying to protect its membership from being overworked and injured in practice and games.

"After seeing the NFL's decision letters, the NFLPA has still not received any detailed or specific evidence from the league of these specific players' involvement in an alleged pay-to-injure program," the NFLPA statement said. "We have made it clear that punishment without evidence is not fair. We have spoken with our players and their representatives, and we will vigorously protect and pursue all options on their behalf."

Goodell will hear the appeals of the players. Goodell issued Payton's suspension. The Saints coach appealed, and Goodell did not budge.

Fujita played for the Saints from 2006-09. He signed with the Browns as a free agent in 2010, and that year was named the NFLPA's executive committee.

Ironically, Fujita fought hard during CBA negotiations last year to gain rule changes regarding player safety. Among the changes was a delayed start to offseason conditioning programs and a limited number of times coaches could have their players practice in pads during the regular season.

Fujita, 33, finished each of the last two seasons on injured reserve. The Browns took two linebackers -- James-Michael Johnson and Emmanuel Acho -- in the 2012 draft.